What's all this about?
Subaru is hybridising the Impreza Sport for its home market.
Does it use a boxer engine?
Of course it does - a 2.0-litre petrol boxer four up front, linked to the Lineartronic CVT (yes, it's a continuously variable transmission... deep joy) that houses the electric motor. The battery pack is sequestered away under the boot floor, leading to excellent weight distribution. But more weight.
And how does that affect fuel economy?
The Impreza Sport Hybrid can apparently achieve 62.3mpg, which isn't too shabby given it has all-wheel drive as well.
What about the specification of the rest of the car?
A bespoke front-end design, side sills, a rear roof spoiler, LED rear lamps and slightly wider tyres (215 section, instead of 205s, on the 17-inch wheels) mark out the exterior, which can be had in six colours (two of which are cost options), while inside is a blue theme - some of the trim in the dashboard is blue, while the higher-spec 'Ultrasuede' seats have blue stitching.
Anything else of interest?
Hydraulic engine mounts, friction control dampers and enhanced sound insulation/absorption are all said to make the Sport Hybrid supremely comfortable to ride in, and very quiet.
Will it be coming here?
No word as yet. It goes on sale in Japan on July 10 in two trim levels - the 2.0i and the 2.0i-S - and Subaru expects to sell 500 Impreza Sport Hybrids per month.
Matt Robinson - 20 Jun 2015